Cam Newton, acting on offensive coordinator Mike Shula's suggestion, began giving away touchdown footballs to kids in the stands in 2011. This year, with the Carolina Panthers scoring a league-leading 59 regular-season touchdowns and another 10 in the playoffs, the team's "Sunday Giveaway" has taken on a life of its own.
Linebacker Luke Kuechly, though, has taken his three touchdown balls to the sideline.
He scored on a 32-yard interception return against Dallas' Tony Romo on Thanksgiving. In the playoffs, Kuechly scored a 14-yard touchdown on a pick of Seattle's Russell Wilson and had a 22-yard scoring return against Arizona's Carson Palmer.
Chances are Kuechly will end up the lucky kid with the ball if he scores Sunday against Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning in what could be Manning's final game.
"We'll see," Kuechly said. "I've got to get one before I do that."
Excuse him if his touchdown celebration needs work: Kuechly had never scored before this season.
Kuechly has a nose for the football, though. His 11 career interceptions are more than any linebacker since he arrived as a first-round pick in 2012. Kuechly also has five career fumble recoveries.
The Panthers led the league with 39 takeaways and a plus-20 turnover ratio this season. In the postseason, the Panthers have nine takeaways and are a plus-eight in turnover ratio.
Kuechly recovered a fumble to go with his two picks in the two playoff games.
"I'm going to do my best (to keep getting takeaways)," Kuechly said. "That's the goal on defense is to create turnovers, and we're going to go out there and try to force as many as we can. It's a big part of what we do on defense, but they're good with the ball, so it's going to be a big challenge."
Newton nicknamed Kuechly "Captain America," for the linebacker's goody-two-shoes reputation.
"Ying-yang twins," Newton said. "I'm ying, and he's yang. It comes down to two guys that love playing this game. Luke is very modest outside of football, ...but Luke is a fun person to be around. He's the ultimate professional."
Kuechly, a big "Star Wars" fan, identifies with Luke Skywalker.
"Who else?" he said when asked his favorite "Star Wars" character.
While Skywalker was "one of the greatest Jedi the galaxy has ever known," Kuechly already ranks as the top inside linebacker in the NFL with a chance to leave a permanent mark on the game. Kuechly won defensive player of the year in 2013, and only Houston defensive end J.J. Watt stands in Kuechly's way of more.
"It's a cool thing to receive, but you've got to realize that stuff comes with a group of guys who work hard to help you get there," Kuechly said. "I think that's the coolest thing for me about that award is it's just as much a team award as it is an individual award."
Kuechly plays sideline-to-sideline, and the Panthers trust him in coverage, so he stays on the field. He played 859 of 927 defensive snaps _ or 92.7 percent _ the past 14 games, including the postseason, after returning from a concussion.
"You watch his development and maturation over the last three or four years," Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said. "It's been special, and he puts the time in. Trust is earned, and he's earned my trust, and the trust of the players around him. He's a great leader for us."
The head injury he suffered in the season opener is the only thing that has slowed Kuechly. It sidelined him three games and 34 days.
Even after hearing that Boston University researchers determined Hall of Fame candidate Ken Stabler had the brain disease CTE, Kuechly dismissed concerns.
"I don't worry about that," he said. "You know what you are getting yourself into when you are playing football, and I love playing football. I feel great, and I have never thought about that, because they take great care of us. As long as you are smart when you are tackling then you should be all right."
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